Basehor-Linwood soccer edges Mill Valley

Basehor-Linwood earned a pivotal Kaw Valley League win last week with a 2-1 victory against Mill Valley.

“It was a big win for us,” Knipp said. “I think it is definitely. In a way, it might give other teams the idea that this BLHS team is for real. We stuck with them the whole game.”

The victory also sent a message to the Bobcats that they are capable of playing with any team on the schedule.

“It definitely opened some eyes; it opened our own eyes,” Knipp said. “It proved to us we can do this. It is a game to build off of.”

BLHS improved to 4-1 overall.

Patrick Rutherford broke a scoreless tie with six minutes left in the first half. He received a pass, took a couple dribbles and chipped the ball over the goalkeeper.

“I think it gave us momentum, but there were still six minutes left in the half,” Knipp said. “Usually when teams score, the other team jumps on it quickly. We stayed focused, knew we had another half to go and kept playing smart.”

In the second period, Trey Kincheloe scored his first varsity goal, giving Basehor-Linwood a 2-0 lead. Kincheloe scored off of an assist from Rutherford.

Rutherford and Symon Seaton rushed over to congratulate him.

“He was definitely pretty happy,” Knipp said of Kincheloe’s goal. “He wanted it for a while now. Hopefully it is a breakout goal. Hopefully now that he knows what it feels like, I hope it comes easy for him.”

Goalkeeper Russell Clark recorded numerous saves and allowed just one goal in his latest solid performance.

“He had 16 saves and came up big again,” Knipp said. “Some of them were tough shots, some one-on-one plays. He seems to be getting two or three of those a game. He is accepting his role very well.”